TflE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. l3l 



on two successive days, sixteen lizards (Himclia, sp.) and seven 

 Bloodsuckers {Amplubolurus, sp.) were successfully managed, as 

 if the undertaking was quite a pleasure throughout. A Copper- 

 headed Snake, two feet in length, having the head dismembered, 

 was a third banquet, and it was similarly managed. The same 

 bird in November killed its cage mate, a Collared Crow-Shrike, 

 and, of course, swallowed it : this is a case of the biter bit. The 

 last note was sufficient to satisfy me of its indifference to what 

 comes first, providing it is substantial. 



A poultry yard near by has chickens of good quality. A Jack- 

 ass without trimmed wings sat upon a tree adjacent, when, without 

 warning, as is only natural, our laughing friend, now silent, glided 

 down, and quietly soared up to the same bough with a handsome 

 chick, now laughed heartily, battered the spoil as usual to a pulp, 

 swallowed it, and this time quickly flew away " for peace sake." 



The eggs invariably are pure white, but I was surprised this 

 last season to find two successive clutches of three uniformly 

 marked near both ends of each egg with a circular group of grey 

 blotches, the apices and greatest diameters being free. The first 

 clutch had been thrown from the nest, which was exposed to the 

 light above, being merely placed on the upper rotten portion of 

 the central axis of the tree ; and both sets agreed in the regular 

 markings. 



In the first week of September several nests with eggs were 

 observed, and in the same week of November several contained 

 young. 



15. Sacred Halcyon, or Rest-day Kingfisher (Zfa^c^/ow sawcftts).* 

 This species is more numerous than the Azure, for when you 



will find a dozen in the timber, only one may be seen by the 

 creek side. On i8th November, 1894, birds were seen preparing 

 hollow for eggs. On nth and i6th December eggs were taken 

 from other than these nests. In one case the sitting bird 

 decidedly objected to be routed from its fresh eggs. These were 

 extracted with the usual spoon, after which the bird made a dash 

 for liberty, but did not get it at that moment. While being 

 handled the little Halcyon showed some unconcern and courage. 



16. Azure Kingfisher {Alcyone azurea, Lath.) has beauty in 

 itself and grace in flight as it passes from one river bank to the 

 other or lodges temporarily on a mid-stream stranded tree. This 

 is a true fisher, and thoroughly understands the business of life. 



On I St January six unfledged young were sighted, nestled in 

 the bowl at posterior end of hole drilled in creek bank. 



17. Sordid Wood Swallow (Arlanius sordldus, Lath.) 



Three (3) species of the genus are here, with this as the most 

 familiar. The bird, though congenial company, prefers the room 

 of a naturalist to his observations, especially when the first twigs of 

 its homestead are being placed. A pair of birds being watched 



